Weekend protest plans ‘extremely disheartening,’ Guerriero says

Nine more have died at Niagara hospitals since the start of April

At least 1,070 people in Niagara have been infected with COVID-19 since last weekend’s anti-lockdown protest in St. Catharines.

And nine more have died at Niagara hospitals since the start of April, after being diagnosed with the coronavirus.

Meanwhile, Niagara Health is treating 58 patients for COVID -19 including 13 in intensive care, while dealing with a new outbreak that infected four patients on the sixth floor of the Welland hospital.

On Friday, health system president Lynn Guerriero called it “extremely disheartening” to learn yet another anti-lockdown protest is planned for this weekend in Niagara Falls.

Guerriero said “health-care teams have been working fullout for more than a year, and have made significant sacrifices to care for Niagara residents throughout the pandemic.”

“Most members of the community are working with us to limit the spread of COVID-19

by masking, distancing and following all other public health measures,” she said. “These measures save lives.”

She is concerned their efforts are being undermined by people opposing the very measures developed to protect people from the spread of the deadly virus that has so far claimed the lives of at least 387 Niagara residents, including recent fatalities where death certificates have yet to be issued.

“It’s terrible to see a small number blatantly disregard the law and put other residents in danger and our hospital services in jeopardy,” Guerriero said.

“We continue to see concerning volumes of patients in our hospital and in hospitals across the province, and unfortunately, we have had to reduce surgical services to create capacity for those patients needing lifesaving care within our intensive care units.

“Seven patients in our care for COVID-19 have passed away this month, and there are 49 patients with COVID-19 in our care today,” she said.

In the day since, two more deaths were reported, bringing the total to nine since the start of the month. “This is a very challenging time, and we need everyone’s support and co-operation,” Guerriero added.

Previously, COVID-19 outbreaks in health-care facilities were declared when a single patient or staff member tested positive for the virus. That changed earlier this month, and the province now requires at least two laboratory-confirmed cases of the virus with an epidemiological link between them before an outbreak can be declared.

The outbreak at the Welland hospital was declared late Thursday, after four patient-related cases of COVID-19 were identified on the sixth floor and determined to be associated with the health-care facility.

While Niagara Health’s infection prevention and control experts monitor the outbreak, steps have been implemented to protect patients, staff and physicians from further infection.

Those include use of additional protective equipment for patients, closure of the floor to new admissions or transfers unless medically necessary, enhanced cleaning and disinfection, contact tracing of impacted patients, providing staff and visitors with ongoing followup, while essential care partners are not permitted to enter the floor.

In a statement, Niagara Health said the protection of staff, physicians and patients remains top priority, “and we are working diligently to bring a safe and timely end to this outbreak.”

“COVID-19 outbreaks reinforce the highly contagious nature of this virus and the need for everyone to follow public health measures. This includes masking, physical distancing, handwashing, and having contact with members of your household only — these measures work.”